David Yarbrough
2 Corinthians 1:8 (CSB)
We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself.
Get me off the Struggle Bus! Do you ever feel like that? At times, the Struggle Bus can be extremely rough and exhausting. I have bad news for you if you live in the Kingdom of God. Life in the Kingdom is a struggle bus ride. I've tried my whole life to get off, but I've never been able to. I thought there was something wrong with me for a long time, but now I know that we all have something wrong with us. It's our sin nature, or, as the Bible calls it, our flesh. And something is not right with this world. It is the domain of an evil ruler.
The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land serves as a powerful analogy for what it means to live in God's Kingdom. I used to believe that the Promised Land represented living in God's Kingdom here and now. But I've come to realize that Israel's time in the wilderness is a good example of life in the Kingdom. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they went in, escaping Pharaoh, King of Egypt. They emerged as people who now live under God's dominion. He was now in charge of leading, providing for, and protecting them. That is how people live in the Kingdom.
After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites faced numerous challenges on their way to the Promised Land. God used their trials to teach them to rely on Him as their King and Provider rather than on the world for their needs. When they came across the bitter waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22–27), God instructed Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water, which miraculously turned it sweet and drinkable. Among other things, this event served as a reminder that God could provide for their needs even in the most trying of circumstances.
Let us pause for a moment to consider this. A life in the Kingdom of God is not easy. It is not simple. It can even be bitter at times. So, what are we to do? If we're constantly on the Struggle Bus, how can we expect to be filled with love, joy, and peace, as well as all the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23)? We'll have to go back to school to get an answer to this question.
Ah, the good old days of high school sports and the infamous bus rides to road games. I'm sure many of us remember that there was a hierarchy on the school bus, with the older athletes getting the best seats in the back. Ironically, setting at the back of the bus was more jarring and bumpy, but we didn't care because it was all in good fun. Further more, being far from the coaches at the front of the bus, who represented authority, gave us a rebellious feeling as we cherished the sweet taste of freedom.
So, whether we like it or not, we're on the Spiritual Struggle Bus. The funny thing is, in our spiritual immaturity, we often find ourselves clamoring for those same ridiculously rough backseats, reveling in the illusion of freedom and distance from God's authority. We mistakenly believe that the bumpy ride and chaos in the backseats are exciting, fun, and fulfilling, ignoring the long-term consequences (which is always a sign of immaturity).
But as time goes on, the thrill of the wild ride wanes, and we see the results of our choices. It's possible that we'll encounter new difficulties, threats, and even spiritual turmoil. It's as if God is shaking us out of our stupor to warn us that the back of the bus might not be the healthiest spot.
So, what is the lesson to be learned from this trip down memory lane? As we grow spiritually wiser and more mature, we realize how important it is to be near the front of the Spiritual Struggle Bus, where the ride is smoother, guidance is easier to obtain, and God's presence is clearer. It may not be as "fun" as the backseats, but it is a journey toward a more fulfilling and Kingdom-centered life. And that, my friends, is worth giving up the backseat for.
Prayer:
Dear God, help us to embrace the struggles that come with living in your Kingdom, knowing that you use them to teach us and draw us closer to you. Guide us to the front of the Spiritual Struggle Bus, where your presence is clearer and your guidance is easier to obtain. Help us to find fulfillment and joy in serving you, even when the journey is difficult. Amen.
Life Application Points:
Recognize the difficulty of living in God's Kingdom and rest assured that God is working through our trials to make us more like Jesus Christ. In times of difficulty, rather than looking to the world to meet your needs, look to God as your provider. Keep in mind that no matter how bad things get, God will see you through.
Strive for Spiritual Maturity: The closer you get to the front of the "Spiritual Struggle Bus," the more easily you can hear God's voice and follow His lead as your faith develops.